For years I have used the ol’ tried and true Xacto knives to cut the model parts off of the sprue but I see so many different cutters and snips out there being advertised. I’m sure there must be a better way, please share your feelings on the different types of cutters and which brand you would recommend! Thanks in advance![:D]
Joe,
I use two different ones from Micro-Mark.
I use the cam action ones for the majority of larger parts as they cut easily through sprues with little effort.
They are a little expensive at $32.50 but I really like them.
When I cut smaller, more delicate parts, I like these Despruing tweezers instead:
Mike
Mike, thanks for the speedy reply and the pictures really help to understand what you were talking about!
If you’re looking for something a little less expensive, Hobby Lobby sells Excell sprue cutters for like 5 dollars, they do good for larger parts.
For smaller parts I have a pair of cuticle removers shaped like the tweezers Mike showed that work good for most situations. (I only build 1/48 and up usually though, so if you go small it would be too big to get the small parts)
I do like those tweezers though Mike, where’d ya find em at?
Thanks Mike! BTW: I ordered that cap that fits the MM bottles last night from them… thanks for the tip!
hey those tweezers for small parts is a good idea. could i get some of them in the cosmetics section?
Glad I could be of help my friend. [;)]
Tominator,
I don’t think they sell those type of tweezer/cutters in stores, although I could be wrong.
Mike
Besides sprue and wire cutters, I use a toe nail clipper with a straight edge. They work well for trimming the PE attachment stubs. No filing or sanding afterwards.
I like to use the Tamiya sharp pointed side cutters to remove plastic from the sprue, but they`re not cheap. As for PE I like to use Xuron PE cutters, again not cheap, but they do the job better than a knife in my view.
Something that should be considered is that one cutter is not going to be adequate in all situations. I use as my primary sprue cutter a pair of Xuron shears. They are great, except in tight situations or for very small parts where the slightest pressure will cause a part to break.
For tight spots I use a fine razor saw blade chucked in an X-acto handle. MicroMark also sells these in sets of varying tooth sizes. They look like #11 blades with teeth.
If photoetched (PE) parts are in your future, sprue cutters and razor saws just won’t cut it (pun intended). A small chisel-tip X-acto blade works well for removing PE without bending or otherwise distorting the piece, providing the backing on which the fret is positioned is pretty rigid.
The bottom line is that there are numerous cutters for different applications. No single cutter is the best for everything. While we can recommend until we are blue in the face, you’ll have to be the one to experiment in order to determine what works best for you.
Hope this helps some.
Gip Winecoff
I use a small set of wire cutters I bought at Home Depot for $2.99
it has a spring loaded handle and the cutters come to a narrow point.
It works perfectly for Sprue and PE parts.
The cutters get right up next to the smallest parts.
For my money I really like the Xuron shears.
well put Gip… a good point indeed!
let’s see… ::looking over to workbench:: I have 1 pair dissection scissors (Anatomy and Physiology in college… cut like a RAZOR!) 1 pair cuticle removers… like the tweazers Mike has but bigger, great for add shaped parts to get in close to the part on the sprue, 1 pair Excell sprue cutters… good for most stuff, 1 flat, 1 chisel, one rounded blade for the Xacto for different things, works great in odd cuts on the sprue… 1 pair toenail clippers, flat head… work good for most of my med sized parts on the edge of the sprue…
each one has a purpose, some were a little more expensive than the other some were dirt cheap! (cuticle removers were 3 something at Wal Mart without tax, toenail clipper about $1 at same)
a lot of it is just seeing something you think might work and trying it… some of it requires the special cutters… like the tweezers Mike showed, something I am interested in…
I appreciate all the great tips, thanks!
Tom,
They are not as small as small tweezers are but they are still fairly small for cutters.
They are 4-1/2" long and the cutting surface is 3/8" tall.
I could show a comparison photo with them next to a #11 X-acto blade or something if you are curious as to the actual size of them.
Mike
yeah I wouild appreciate it Mike, I have a set of cuticle removers shaped almost identical to yours but with a 15 degree or so slant to the cutting surface, but if those are smaller I would be definitely interested…
Here you are Tom.
The lines on the top picture are 1/8" increments and the grids are 1/2" apart on the bottom picture.
I bought these on sale from Micro-Mark a while back for $5.95 during their summer sale. That is a fantastic price compared to the usual $14.95 [;)]
Mike
yeah I am gonna watch for a sale then… those would be handy… the cuticle removers I have are a lot like sprue cutters except instead of side cutting they cut from the fron like your tweezers… they are a bit bigger and being handles like pliers, the tweezers would make it easier to get in close on smalle trees with small parts…